Saturday, February 15, 2025

WhatsApp halts surveillance attack on journalists and activists

WhatsApp has successfully disrupted a complex surveillance operation that targeted over 90 individuals, predominantly journalists and civil society activists.

The attack traced back to Israeli firm Paragon Solutions, has raised concerns about the growing threats to digital privacy.

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Upon detecting the attack, WhatsApp acted quickly to notify the affected users, expressing “high confidence” that their devices had been compromised.

In addition to informing the victims, WhatsApp has sent a cease-and-desist order to Paragon Solutions and is considering legal actions to address the breach.

Paragon Solutions, often described as an “ethical” cyber defense company, has drawn comparisons to the notorious NSO Group, a company with a history of surveillance-related controversies.

Paragon has recently undergone ownership changes, with a $2 million contract secured by the company with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These shifts have raised questions about the firm’s operations and its increasing involvement in surveillance practices.

In 2024, Paragon Solutions was acquired by AE Industrial Partners, marking a significant change for the firm.

Since the acquisition, Paragon has attracted government contracts, including the ICE deal, signaling its growing role in surveillance technology despite its stated ethical stance.

The current situation calls back to WhatsApp’s 2019 lawsuit against NSO Group, which involved the hacking of over 1,400 individuals, including journalists and government officials.

The court ruling in favor of WhatsApp established a major legal precedent, which could play a role in future actions against Paragon Solutions.

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